Santa Cruzan 2025 Carries on as Devotees Brave the Weather
PHOENIX, AZ — On Sunday, May 4, 2025, the Filipino Catholic community of Arizona came together for one of its most cherished traditions: the annual Flores De Mayo and Santa Cruzan celebration, held at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church. Despite an afternoon of unseasonably cold, windy, and rainy weather, parishioners and sagalas braved the elements—hair windswept, gowns dampened—to honor a faith that has crossed oceans and generations.
Santa Cruzan is the grand finale of Flores de Mayo (Flowers of May), a tradition observed throughout the month in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Originally introduced by Spanish missionaries during the colonial period, Flores de Mayo blends Catholic practice with Filipino cultural expression. It’s a month of prayer, flower offerings, and Marian devotion.
The Santa Cruzan, in particular, reenacts the biblical story of Queen Helena (Reyna Elena) and her son, Constantine, discovering the True Cross in Jerusalem. In the Philippines, this has become a religious pageant where young women and girls—called sagalas—dress in formal gowns and carry religious symbols in a procession that honors Mary and reflects virtues of faith, hope, charity, and sacrifice.
For many in the diaspora, it’s also a way to pass on culture and devotion to younger generations born in the U.S., keeping the community united around a shared sense of identity.
Weather Turns, but the Celebration Continues
This year’s celebration at Our Lady of the Valley in Phoenix looked a little different than usual. It seemed like a typical afternoon at first, but within a short time the weather began to turn.
From the 2:30 p.m. assembly to the 9:30 p.m. wrap-up, each part of the event went ahead as planned—rosary, flower offering, mass, procession, and reception—despite the weather.
During the Flores de Mayo segment, sagalas and parishioners presented flowers at the altar as the FCCOLV choir performed Ave Maria. Soloist Jo Christina Medina also performed during this time, adding a reflective moment to the ceremony.
Behind the scenes, volunteers worked hard to make last-minute adjustments. Tables that had been beautifully set up in advance for the reception had to be moved and rearranged more than once as drizzle started, stopped, and then started again. The reception team adapted quickly, making sure the celebration could continue no matter what the weather brought.
For a while, it looked like the weather might hold—until just as the procession was about to begin. Some of the strongest wind and heaviest rain of the day hit right as the sagalas were lining up. Still, the procession moved forward. Altar servers led the way, followed by clergy, and then the sagalas in full pageant formation, making their way around the parish block and back to the front of the church.
This year’s sagalas included over 80 participants representing Marian titles, biblical queens, saints, and virtues. The role of Reyna Elena (QUEEN HELENA), the founder of the Holy Cross 300 years after the death of Jesus Christ and brought to Rome where there was big festivity. Therefore our Santacruzan is a reenactment of the founding of the Holy Cross and became our tradition since the Spaniards brought Cristianity to the Philippines. The central figure of the Santa Cruzan, was portrayed by Riz Valerie Syzmore (Mrs. Luzon Arizona 2023), escorted by Khalil Syzmore. Other highlights included:
- Reyna Emperatriz (Queen Empress) By Richelle Miller with Luke Rowley
as Constantino with Arch bearers – Dan Miller and Colin Bonk - Hermano and Hermana Mayor– is the most influential affluent parishioner. Back then she puts the bills of the sound system, attendants, and the sumptuous party that follows the pageant parade or procession. By Charles Irion and Nora Madeja
- and many more.
Children, teens, and adults all took part—many first-time sagalas walking alongside more experienced ones. Parents helped with gowns and flowers, while volunteers from the parish guided participants, managed logistics, and kept things moving even as conditions grew more difficult.
The event was organized by a large and committed team of volunteers led by Committee Chair Patty Chavez, supported by:
- Victoria & Jeff Aceveda, Jhen Facto-Aquino, Jennifer & Mike Lewis, Cha & Jong Silfavan and Vaneza Montealto Hodges – Committee Members
- Alma De Garriz – Emcee and Program Host
- Dory Hey – FCCOLV President and officers
- FCC/OLV Choir – Music Ministry
- APO Metro Phoenix – Procession Marshals
- Fr. Jerome Cayetano – STR/OLV Parochial Administrator
Supported by generous Sponsors and special supporters, specially
- Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church for hosting the event
Their donations and behind-the-scenes efforts helped the event production costs, food, and fellowship activities. Proceeds from the funds raised during the event will benefit the church and its community programs.
Footage from this year’s celebration shows real moments: hair flying, skirts pressed by the wind, umbrellas being repositioned mid-procession. Some sagalas appear windblown or damp—images that may not reflect the elegance they envisioned. But at the same time, these clips also show determination, humility, and grace under pressure.
These aren’t “perfect” pageant clips—but they are honest. And sometimes, those are the most powerful ones.
As the evening closed with music, dinner, and fellowship, the cold had settled in. But spirits stayed high.
For the Filipino Catholic community in Arizona, this year’s Santa Cruzan was a reminder: faith doesn’t depend on the weather. It continues through wind, rain, and any challenge that comes with it—just as it has for generations.